Garnett misses practice, '50-50' for Heat

Steve Bulpett Sunday, March 17, 2013

Credit: Stuart Cahill

Doc Rivers rates Kevin Garnett as 50-50 to play tomorrow night against the Miami Heat.

WALTHAM -- Kevin Garnett (strained adductor) didn't practice today, and he may not be available for the Celtics when they take on the Heat tomorrow night at the Garden. Miami has won 21 straight games and is taking on Toronto this afternoon.

"We don't know what he's going to do tomorrow," said Doc Rivers of Garnett's availability. "My guess is 50-50 at best."

Asked his level of concern, he said, "Probably 1 on a scale of 10. Even if he misses a couple of games, it's not an injury that's a big deal. So I'm not that concerned by it."

Garnett has not gotten an MRI.

"I don’t think it's that serious," said Rivers, "but it's just at that point in the year where you’re just not going to play him if he's not feeling great." ...

With LeBron James the runaway favorite for his fourth MVP award in five years, the all-time best question was raised.

"He's close, yeah," said Rivers. "I don’t know who that is. Michael (Jordan)'s the best player that I've ever seen. I never really got the chance to watch Bill (Russell) or those guys back in their day.

"My dad died saying Bill Russell (was the best). That's the way he believed. But I always try to let guys finish their career before we start comparing them to anybody, and I think we should wait for that."

On the difference in James nowadays, Rivers said, "I just think he has a championship swagger now. He's always been the best player. Now he's the best player with confidence, if that makes any sense. And it makes him great. I'm happy for him; I just want to beat them. I just think he's gone through a lot. He paid his dues, I guess, if you want to say, and now he's a champion. Now it's our job to try to knock that off of him."